The VCHS health fair educates and engages members of our community and surrounding areas with health and wellness-related information provided by businesses and organizations from across the state, VCHS PR/Marketing Manager Marcy Shafer said. We will have vendors, displays, free yoga classes and chair massages by Utopia Spa &amp; Health Studio, kids activities and prizes along with discounted labs and screening, breakfast, and giveaways. The 2018 VCHS health fair will be a family-friendly and educational health and wellness event that you wont want to miss.

One of the biggest attractions of the VCHS Health Fair continues to be the discounted lab tests, charging attendees only the cost to cover supplies. The following discounted labs are offered during the health fair:

PSA: ($15) Prostate cancer screening recommended for males over the age of 50.

A1C: ($20) Test that measures your average blood sugar for the past two to three months.

Protime: ($10) Test for patients on Warfarin.

A mobile Bryan Health unit will also be at the fair and offer the following screenings:

Atrial Fibrillation: ($10) Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart arrhythmia, affecting 2.7 million Americans.

Abdominal Aortic Ultrasound Screening: ($40) This painless, non-invasive screening detects the presence of an aneurysm in the abdominal aorta.

Peripheral Arterial Disease: ($20) A painless, non-invasive test called ankle-brachial index (ABI) compares the blood pressure in the ankles to the blood pressure in the arms to determine how well blood is flowing.

Carotid Artery Ultrasound Screening: ($40) This painless, non-invasive screening detects plaque deposits in the carotid arteries. These plaque deposits are a leading risk factor for stroke.

Those who participate in the blood chemistry draw will be mailed their results and will be responsible for contacting their medical providers if they have values outside of the normal range. Fasting is necessary prior to the blood chemistry draw, including consumption of caffeine or decaf coffee. A breakfast will be served at the fair, so participants may eat after their blood is drawn.

Pre-registration is available at ValleyCountyHealthSystem.org or by picking up a pre-registration form at the hospital registration desk or any VCHS Medical Clinic location. Pre-registration is recommended for anyone wishing to have a blood chemistry drawn and required for the Bryan Health tests.